Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Accounting Policies	Sep. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies Background and Basis of Presentation Avanos Medical, Inc. is a medical technology company focused on delivering clinically superior breakthrough medical device solutions to improve patients’ quality of life. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Avanos is committed to addressing some of today’s most important healthcare needs, such as reducing the use of opioids while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. We develop, manufacture and market clinically superior solutions around the globe. References to “Avanos,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Avanos Medical, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Interim Financial Statements We prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, and the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all necessary material adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, to fairly state our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Use of Estimates Preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, distributor rebate accruals, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, loss contingencies, and deferred tax assets and potential income tax assessments. Our estimates are subject to uncertainties associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has caused volatility and adverse effects in global markets. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates, and the effect of the difference could be material to our financial statements. Changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Annual Goodwill Impairment Test We test for goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances more likely than not indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit may be below its carrying value. We operate as a single reportable operating segment with one reporting unit. The fair value of our reporting unit was estimated using a combination of income (discounted cash flow analysis) and market approaches. The income approach is dependent upon several assumptions regarding future periods such as sales growth and a terminal growth rate. A weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) was used to discount future estimated cash flows to their present values. The WACC was based on externally observable data considering market participants’ cost of equity and debt, optimal capital structure and risk factors specific to us. The market approach estimates the value of our company using a market capitalization methodology. We completed our annual goodwill impairment test as of July 1, 2021, and determined that the fair value of our reporting unit exceeds the net carrying amount. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Effective January 1, 2021, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU removed certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The ASU also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2021-04, Issuers Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options. This ASU requires accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity-classified after the modification or exchange based on the economic substance of the modification or exchange. The accounting is determined based on whether the transaction was done to issue equity, issue or modify debt or for other reasons. This ASU is to be applied prospectively for years beginning after December 15, 2021. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform. This ASU was prompted by the planned cessation of the London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”), which is the reference rate for many debt agreements, including the credit agreement that governs our revolving credit facility that is described in Note 5, “Debt.” This ASU applies to contract modifications that replace a reference rate and contemporaneous modifications of other contract terms related to the replacement of the reference rate. Under this ASU, modifications to debt agreements may be accounted for by prospectively adjusting the effective interest rate. This ASU is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and may be applied as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.